If you are considering moving to the Netherlands, then our immigration lawyers are here to assist you in preparing the needed documentation and submitting it to the Dutch authorities.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) (YES/NO) | No |
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (YES/NO) | Yes, with certain exceptions for short-term stays (U.S. citizens, for example). |
| Types of visas available
| Airport transit visa Short-stay visa (Schengen or tourist visa, allowing for stays for up to 90 days) Long-stay visa Carribean visa (for the Carribean parts of the Kingdom of Netherlands). |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) | Generally all companies. A special scheme is available for small businesses, with a turnover of less than EUR 17,500 in the previous tax year and not expected to exceed EUR 50,000 in the current tax year. |
| Validity of temporary residence permit | Up to 5 years |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence | 8 weeks |
| Investor Visa Availability | Yes |
| Sponsorship requirement | No |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | 5 years |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability | Investor residence permit followed by citizenship through naturalization. |
| Tax benefits for expats | A tax exemption on up to 30% of an expat's salary, valid for 5 years. |
| Dutch authority that processes residence permit applications | The Immigration and Naturalization Department (IND). |
Changing the residence permit type | Possible, however, the applicant will need to fully comply with the conditions for the new type of permit. |
Conditions for renewing temporary residence | Yes, if the holder of the permit continues to observe the same conditions. |
| Restrictions on foreign entrepreneurs who wish to reside in the Netherlands | Not applicable. |
| Special situations | Asylum seekers can be subject to different conditions. Our immigration team can assist in these cases. |
| Civic integration | Most applicants for Dutch citizenship need to pass a civic integration examination. Our agents can give you details about the exceptions. |
| Conditions for citizenship by naturalization | 18 years of age or older, have lived in the country for at least 5 consecutive years, provides proof of sufficient integration and language knowledge, as well as comply with the requirements for the naturalization ceremony. |
| Dual citizenship | Only in some cases, such as when married to a Dutch citizen. |
| Advantages for those who immigrate to the Netherlands | Good quality of life, part of the EU and the Schengen area, access to education opportunities, as well as work and business opportunities. |
| How we can help you | Our immigration lawyers in the Netherlands can assist you once you decide to apply for a residence permit, as well as with citizenship applications, appeals to decisions made by the immigration authorities, and other matters. |
| When to reach out to us | Just as you decide to apply for a temporary residence permit, or as needed if you are already in the Netherlands. |
What permits are available for the Netherlands?
Residence permits in the Netherlands are issued according to the purpose of the stay. They can be issued for:
- family reunification;
- employment or self-employment, as well as seasonal workers;
- highly skilled migrants or scientific researchers;
- study purposes and exchange programs.
The video below offers a summary of our services:
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What services can I receive from your Dutch immigration lawyers?
Below, we list some of the most important services offered by our Dutch immigration lawyers:
- Work purposes: we advise employees who wish to work in the Netherlands, irrespective of the business field; we also provide information to highly skilled migrants.
- Student services: we offer counsel for those foreign students who are interested in continuing their education in the Netherlands.
- Family support: we provide information to foreign nationals who are already in the Netherlands and are interested in bringing their families to the country as well.
- Status extension: we can help individuals who are already living in the country under a certain status extend or change it.
- Becoming a citizen: once you have lived in the country for the minimum period, you can request our services for citizenship application assistance.
- Others: we provide various other services to expats who may encounter unique situations while in the country.
How can I live permanently in the Netherlands?
Permanent residence can be obtained in the Netherlands if you have been living in the country for five uninterrupted years. Becoming a Dutch citizen through naturalization is possible after this period, provided that the applicant meets the existing criteria.
The exam is not required when the individual is younger than 18 years, when he or she has lived in the country for at least eight years during the mandatory school period, when the applicant has Belgian or Luxembourg nationality, or when the applicant has certain types of diplomas or certificates.
How can your immigration consultants in the Netherlands assist me?
Our team of immigration consultants in the Netherlands can provide a number of services, tailored to the needs of our clients:
- Dutch visa applications for transit, short stay, and long-term visas;
- Dutch work permit applications;
- obtaining a residence permit in the Netherlands for foreign entrepreneurs;
- obtaining permanent residency in the Netherlands;
- DAFT visa;
- obtaining Dutch citizenship and details about the naturalization process.
The DAFT Visa is a special type of visa available to U.S. investors, due to the fact that the Netherlands and the United States of America have concluded a special treaty that encourages US investors in the Netherlands as well as Dutch investors in the United States.
How can I work in the Netherlands?
Foreign citizens who would like to relocate to the Netherlands should know that the following are the types of residence permits for working in paid employment in this country:
- Intra-corporate transfers: for individuals who work at a non-EU company and are transferred to a Dutch branch; the employer is the one who applies for this permit.
- Highly skilled migrant: this is for individuals who work in high-level positions or as a trainee doctor, scientific researcher, or lecturer; the employer must be a recognized sponsor.
- European Blue Card: for employees who engage in highly skilled work in the EU; specific conditions apply.
- Researcher: this is for researchers as per EU Directive 2016/801.
- Others: all other permits for work in paid employment; some of them may have additional rules, such as those for spiritual counselors, working as a mass media correspondent, working in the Asian catering industry, and others.
How can I obtain Dutch citizenship?
If you are a foreign citizen who acquires a temporary residence permit in the Netherlands for at least five consecutive years and still holds a valid residence permit, you can apply for permanent residency. You have to be able to speak Dutch and pass the Civic Integration examination.
Obtaining Dutch citizenship through naturalization is one of the ways in which a foreign national can become a Dutch citizen (the other options include becoming a citizen by birth, acknowledgment, or option). Apart from being over 18 years of age and having lived uninterruptedly in the country for at least five years, the applicant must also not have received a prison sentence and have no ongoing criminal proceedings against them.
How can I prepare a Dutch immigration application?
Before applying, you should identify the appropriate purpose of residence and verify that you meet all the conditions established by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND). Official documents issued abroad may need to be legalized and translated into Dutch, English, French, or German.
Dutch immigration lawyers can verify your supporting documents, the integrity of your file, and, if necessary, work with your sponsor throughout the procedure. Careful preparation of your application helps to avoid delays or a possible refusal due to incomplete, incorrect, or insufficient documents.
For a quick overview of the process of immigration to the Netherlands, please explore the infographic below:
How can I extend or change my Dutch residence permit?
If your Dutch residence permit is approaching its expiry date and you continue to meet the applicable conditions, you can normally apply for an extension within the final three months of its validity. If your personal or professional circumstances have changed, you may need to apply for a different purpose of residence instead of extending your existing permit.
You can ask the Dutch immigration lawyers to assess your current status, identify the correct procedure, and help you prepare the required documents. Applying before your permit expires can help you avoid a residence gap that may delay a future application for permanent residence or Dutch citizenship.
How can I challenge a negative IND decision?
If the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) rejects your application for a visa, residence permit, or citizenship, you can appeal the decision by filing an objection within the time limit indicated in the notification you received. The objection must state the contested decision, state the reasons for the disagreement, and be accompanied, where applicable, by relevant supporting documents.
The Dutch immigration lawyers can review the reasons for refusal, prepare the objection, and represent you during the procedure. If the IND declares your objection unfounded, you may be able to appeal to a Dutch court, while the decision will specify whether you can remain in the Netherlands during the proceedings.
How can EU/EEA/Swiss nationals stay in the Netherlands?
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals who wish to come to the Netherlands to live and to work should take the following issues into consideration:
- Register with the Municipality: this is required for those who wish to stay in the country for more than 4 months, and the registration is performed with the Municipal Personal Records Database in the area where the applicant will reside.
- Subscribe for health insurance: this is required within 4 months after arrival in the country.
- Permanent residence: those who have stayed in the country for five uninterrupted years can apply for permanent residence.
How can non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals stay in the Netherlands?
In order to live or work in the Netherlands, the Dutch immigration legislation rules that foreign citizens who originate from non-European countries must:
- Obtain a temporary residence permit to do so. There are, though, certain non-European countries for which a residence permit is not required.
- Having an EU Blue card – a combined work and residence permit for highly qualified individuals (third country nationals, not EU nationals).
- Family reunification is another way for a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national to come to the Netherlands.
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals can also come to the Netherlands for study or exchange purposes.
For specialized immigration services, we invite you to contact our team of immigration lawyers in the Netherlands.